MONTHLY milk quota figures show a significant increase in overproduction compared with the same period last year, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Estimated milk deliveries by farmers to dairies for April were about 6.3 per cent in excess of the national quota, compared with an excess of 3.4 per cent in April 1995. Overall, about 11 million gallons of milk were produced in excess of the 1.1 billion quota last year.
It is significant because we're facing a superlevy bill of approximately £15 million this year," a spokesman for the Department said.
An IFA spokesman pointed out that the increase in overproduction came in the first month of the milk year. It was unlikely to have a significant impact when balanced against other results at the end of the year, he said.
The improvement in the weather and late grass growth contributed to the overproduction. "The animals are thriving and milk is flowing, he said.
Meanwhile, a report that the European Commission demanded to see files relating to Golden Vale is "inaccurate", according to the spokesman from the Department.
Information relating to the operation of milk quotas at the Munster co operative was supplied to the Commission "in line with normal procedures".
A spokesman for Golden Vale said he expected milk production at the co op to exceed the quota for April, "in line with the rest of the country".
Golden Vale admitted last week it paid £3.1 million in milk levy arrears because it incorrectly calculated its superlevy bill.